Long-time New Hope resident and entrepreneur George Fernandez will help lead a task force to insure that the annual tree lighting ceremony at the Logan Inn does not become a lost tradition.
Fernandez today confirmed that he will help sponsor and lead the event with Village Toy Shoppe’s Greg Gauthier as part of the New Hope Business Alliance, an ad hoc group that emerged from a recent open merchant forum held at Havana.
The holiday tree lighting ceremony on West Ferry Street is held annually in conjunction with the Logan Inn, which owns the celebrated pine and property.
Aside from Fernandez, the New Hope Business Alliance also said that they have secured funding commitments from other prominent New Hope residents and business owners.
The New Hope Chamber of Commerce on Saturday said it would not be holding Christmas season events this year.
“I feel inspired by the spirit of teamwork and volunteerism I am seeing by members of our community, who are partnering together to help move this iconic town forward,” said Fernandez. “This year’s Christmas holiday tree will shine brighter and merrier than ever.”
Tree lighting task force Co-Chair Gauthier agreed. “We’re trying to keep the tree lights and event simple and straightforward, with understated white bulbs and an informal, community feel. For us, it’s about coming together in the spirit of serving the greater community good — and what better time of year to start?”
“This is a group effort, and will be one among several holiday events that include a ‘Black Friday’ shopping promotion, a local merchants’ storefront decorating contest, and free gift wrapping centers around New Hope on the final two shopping weekends in December,” continued Gauthier. “The Alliance is also coordinating its holiday activities closely with the Bucks County Playhouse’s Christmas celebration taking place in early December.”
Said Bucks County Playhouse Producing Director Alex Fraser, “This year we’re thrilled to partner with our neighbors in taking the holidays to greater heights by giving New Hope a central town square in which to gather. In addition to our new holiday musical production of Plaid Tidings featuring the boys from Forever Plaid giving holiday favorites their classic harmonic spin, we’ll also host “Santa’s Workshop” in the Playhouse Courtyard, offering families two fun-filled weekends of photos with Santa, together with holiday gift offerings, hot cider and treats.”
“We want to help make New Hope the perfect place for toasty, cozy holiday cheer,” added Fraser.
The New Hope Business Alliance says it will communicate with New Hope businesses directly in the coming days and weeks, and invites those with questions or whom are interested in contributing time, goods, or services to contact info.newhopepa@gmail.com.
Great to hear of such a positive development. Maybe the future will be brighter with the demise of the CoC and the ascension of this new group.
My hat goes off to the newly formed New Hope Business Alliance for pulling together, in such short time given, a Christmas celebration in New Hope that I am certain will match any from the past. Much credit goes to many people that have pulled their energy and resources together to rise to the call. A special thanks to my friend George Fernandez for his never ending support for New Hope, and for Greg Gauthier, as well as others, that are leading this group of hard working volunteers. Bless each of you.